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I suppose you are going to visit the restauration workshop at Maene pianos in Belgium to see this vintage Steinway; I know they have quite a reputation for that type of work?

I am just an ordinary forum member - pîano owner from Belgium, so I probably am not the kind of people you are looking for to meet if your aim is to exchange technical expertise. But if you want you can always e-mail me your touring schedule in Belgium through this forum.

Enjoy your stay and don't forget to taste the hundreds of different beers (not an expert in that department either) or chocolate if you prefer!

Hello Larry and the others that are coming to Belgium. My name is Dieter Machielsen and I am a 37 years old grand piano rebuilder from Antwerp Belgium. My company is named MELODI. Great that you're coming to Belgium. Apart from going to Brussels you should certainly also visit Antwerp wich is the second biggest city in Belgium, known for its cathedral, diamond centre, fashion and great cultural heritage. Did you know that in the 17th and 18th century we had worldknown clavichord builders in Antwerp, like for instance Ruckers.I would be honoured to welcome you in my (little)workshop where I rebuild subtop grand pianos from 1870 to 1930 of brands like Bechstein, Blüthner, Rönisch, Pleyel, Bösendorfer a.s.o.Maybe two other places to see is the collection of Chris Maene in Brussels and the collection of Peter van Heirseele in Ostend (where Marvin Gaye used to recover). Maene also built three copies of the first (1837) Steinway fortepiano. I saw his presentation at the pianotuner and rebuilders gathering in Antwerp last week. A fact is that he always runs off with all the cradits, it's always Maene here, Maene there, when there is a lot of other interesting people in pianoland in Belgium. One of them is Peter van Heirseele, a.k.a. Herrseele, he has a great collection of historical uprights and grands, Belgium made and European. If I ask him I'm shure he would be thrilled to show you around.I can also show you around in Antwerp, I lived there for my whole life, and it's worth the deviation (40 min. by car or train from Brussels)Feel free to contact me at 0032 486 203 202 (cellphone) or 0032 3 216 05 70 (phone)My email address is info@melodi.bekind regardsDieter

Hi Larry and friends, sounds like you already have a lot lined up for you on your visit! I'll be moving house around that time so it'll be a little difficult to meet up, but I can happily help with hotel reccomendations, travel advice, etc.

Be sure to try some good Belgian beer while you're here, and of course mussels with chips.

The piano we went to see was at Taffijn Piano in Gooik. They are suppliers to the trade as well as a distributer of Samick pianos. They are a very nice family business. My thanks to Sven(sp?), his wife Kathleen and family for their hospitality and showing us around.

Danny Boddin, a local piano tech, met us at the airport, brought us to the hotel and showed us around as well.

A few piano tuners stopped in while we were there.

There were a couple of tuners here on Piano World I did not get a chance to meet. I extend my apologies. The trip was very short and time very tight. We are hoping to get back to Belgium in the near future with more time to get out and about.

Just out of curiosity, what brings you to Belgium?

_________________________"If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants."Isaac Newton